So you just found out that the Nintendo 3DS got a price cut. The system went from costing $249.99 in March to $169.99, one of the biggest price drops that the Japanese company has ever enacted. Usually, Nintendo has been… Continue Reading →

So you just found out that the Nintendo 3DS got a price cut. The system went from costing $249.99 in March to $169.99, one of the biggest price drops that the Japanese company has ever enacted. Usually, Nintendo has been hesitant to cut back prices, especially with the Wii. Right now, you’re either an angry early adopter who bought it during the past few months or you’re a fan who’s been eagerly waiting for this news.

But before you head out to the store, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

1) The price cut doesn’t go forward until Aug. 12. Hold your horses their folks. Don’t head out to GameStop just yet.

2) Before grabbing your pitch fork and heading down to Kyoto early adopters, keep in mind that Nintendo feels your pain in Clintonesque way and is offering a deal. To say sorry thank you for being an enthusiastic supporter, they’re giving away 20 games.

3) They’re doing this through the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. Entering this program is easy. According to the company: “These free games are available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program.” ie. Just go online with the 3DS and download something and you’re pretty much set.

4) So what games are these exactly? They’re 10 NES and 10 Game Boy Advance titles that will be available to download for free via the eShop. On Sept. 1, players will be able to grab titles such as Super Mario Bros. (a classic and yes I already own it), Donkey Kong Jr. (another gem I played to death as a kid), Balloon Fight (one of the best versus experience ever), Ice Climber (never played this one, looking forward to it) and The Legend of Zelda.
At the end of 2011 (that’s a vague date), Nintendo Ambassadors will be able to download Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (Another game I missed and have been meaning to play.), Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

5) The 10 GBA games offered may be a one-time deal. According to Nintendo, the company “currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future.” It’s almost like one of those Disney flicks that go on sale for “a limited time only” then go back to the vault where you probably won’t hear from them until a remake or a sequel comes out.

Bottom Line: Those isn’t a bad deal. The offer has some value, and it’s a decent way to keep fans happy. Maybe it’ll stop you from storming the castle. For the rest of non-3DSless consumers, the big question now is Should you buy the Nintendo 3DS now or later? If you’re in the mood for owning those classic games, then go right on. Those 20 GBA and NES games will cost you the equivalent of $80. But if you want to keep that money in your pocket and maybe get two 3DS games, then just wait. The choice is up to you.

]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2011/07/28/nintendo-3ds-price-cut-to-169-and-what-it-means-to-you/feed/22Nintendo 3DSFTC green lights a possible EA-Take Two dealhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/08/21/ftc-green-lights-a-possible-ea-take-two-deal/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/08/21/ftc-green-lights-a-possible-ea-take-two-deal/#respondThu, 21 Aug 2008 18:50:54 +0000http://www.ibabuzz.com/videogames/?p=1245I mentioned this a couple of days ago, but the weird kabuki dance between Electronic Arts and Take Two. Take Two let EA’s unsolicited offer expire on Monday, and the two companies signed a deal to explore “strategic alternatives.” Well,… Continue Reading →

]]>I mentioned this a couple of days ago, but the weird kabuki dance between Electronic Arts and Take Two. Take Two let EA’s unsolicited offer expire on Monday, and the two companies signed a deal to explore “strategic alternatives.”

Well, now Reuters is reporting that it has no problems with a possible EA deal with Take Two. An interesting tidbit behind this courting process is that EA CEO John Riccitiello, and Take-Two Executive Chairman Strauss Zelnick over the weekend, according to EA.

]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/08/21/ftc-green-lights-a-possible-ea-take-two-deal/feed/0EA deal for Take Two not quite dead yethttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/08/19/ea-deal-for-take-two-not-quite-dead-yet/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/08/19/ea-deal-for-take-two-not-quite-dead-yet/#commentsTue, 19 Aug 2008 23:52:05 +0000http://www.ibabuzz.com/videogames/?p=1215We all know that Electronic Arts has been eyeing Take Two for a while now. The company that publishes the 2K Sports games and the Grand Theft Auto franchise has key properties that EA would love to snatch up. Well,… Continue Reading →

]]>We all know that Electronic Arts has been eyeing Take Two for a while now. The company that publishes the 2K Sports games and the Grand Theft Auto franchise has key properties that EA would love to snatch up.

Well, after the Redwood City company’s initial offer was rejected. I thought it would be settled: no sale. But apparently, it’s not so simple. Although EA’s offer expired on Monday, the L.A. Times says the deal isn’t dead yet. We kind of got that impression from this press release on Monday.

The two companies are trying to work together to seek strategic alternatives now that EA’s initial offer is officially dead. I suppose this could either be a prelude to a megadeal or something else. We’ll have to wait on Thursday at the earliest for the story to move forward. That’s when the Federal Trade Commission will conclude its antitrust investigation of a potential deal.